“I remember when, as a minister, I was helping to set the stage to allow this project to move forward,” said Bill Bennett, MLA Kootenay East. “It is very gratifying to see all the good family-supporting jobs in our region from this great project.”

“This four-and-a-half-year, $900 million project is bringing extensive benefits to the communities and regions represented by AKBLG convention participants,” said Audrey Repin, spokesperson for the Waneta Expansion Project. “It is important to us that elected officials have an opportunity to view the construction progress as well as ask questions about the project.”

Recently, the project reached major milestones with the completion of excavation of the powerhouse, intake and tunnels.

Project highlights:                                                                                                                       

• Currently over 250 people are working directly on the project.
• $84 million has been allocated to local businesses for the purchases of goods and services.
• Equity hiring provisions are in place for women, persons with disabilities and/or visible minorities.
• Major excavation for the powerhouse, power tunnels and intake structure was completed and hauled safely without damage to existing facilities and without major environmental incident.
• Upcoming work includes construction of the powerhouse, including carpentry and major concrete work, and the concrete lining of the two circular tunnels which will carry water to the turbines.
• The public can view construction from a viewing area and platform across Highway 22A.

The project has an independent contractor monitoring the social and economic impacts in the local area. The contractor works with the Community Impact Management Committee to ensure the reports are relevant to communities. To view the 2011 annual report please visit: www.columbiapower.org/SEM2011.

The Waneta Expansion Project is a partnership between Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation, and Columbia Basin Trust. For more information please visit: www.columbiapower.org/wanetaexpansion.

A subsidiary of Hydro Quebec is developing the Kestrel's powertrain. And here's the Kootenay connnection; Toxco Inc., in Trail is one of the world's few recyclers of lithium-ion batteries and the company is involved in designing charging stations for the Kestrel EV electric vehicle.

"If we use different materials and technologies, and if we go electric, we can do this for a lot less money, and we can do it in Canada," Nathan Armstrong, Motive Industries, president, recently told BIV Magazine.

Motive Industries projects that annual sales of electric vehicles could reach 160,000 in Canada at some point in the future. The company has produced a prototype vehicle and is currently working at finding more investors to fund the start-up.

The LCIC Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) project is a region-wide effort that emphasizes personal visits as a way to identify the needs of our existing businesses. Over the next six months, 250 to 300 personal visits and interviews will be conducted with businesses throughout the Lower Columbia region.

Specifically, the objectives of the project are to:

1. Identify the needs, concerns and opportunities of existing local businesses in order that, where appropriate, local action can be taken to respond to the businesses' needs or development opportunities.

2. Learn of the future plans of the region's local businesses with respect to expansion, relocation and/or retention and assess where assistance can be provided.

3. Demonstrate the region's pro-business attitude and develop an effective means of communication with local businesses.

4. Have the region actively involved in economic development.

The BR&E survey will indicate the future plans/needs of local businesses and how businesses view the community as a place to do business. In turn, this survey information will be used to plan future economic development initiatives.

A final analysis will be completed in the fall of 2012, at which time the LCIC will present the findings to local councils, area directors and other organizations. In the meantime, if you would like more information on this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact the LCIC office at 250-364-6461 or email Santorini.

When and where

Tuesday, February 21, 2012, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. (presentation at 7 p.m.)

The Riverbelle, 1350 Esplanade, Trail, B.C.

For more information, please contact Catherine Adair, community engagement co-ordinator by email at Catherine.adair@teck.com or by phone at 250-364-4878.

Dr. Stephanie Cameron and Dr. Jane Grey, owners of Rossland & Castlegar Medical Aesthetics & Day Spas, opened their third branch on Cedar Avenue beneath The Doorway in November 2011, thus making their many esthetic and rejuvenation services more easily accessible to those who prefer not to venture up the Trail/Rossland hill.

This most recent addition was brought to completion with admirable speed by Dr. Cameron, Christa McLaughlin and Julie Tiendl, along with a team of dedicated assistants and efficient local trades, including Seib’s Contracting.

Most of the services for which they have become renowned are available in Trail and the doctors will be in session on a regular basis.

They welcome several new estheticians and receptionists to staff the three locations.